Epistula canonica ad Domnum

Of Cyril, Archbishop of Alexandria, who is among the saints. Cyril to Domnus. I. Concerning a bishop who has been deposed and ceases to perform the sacred rites. Each of our affairs, when conducted in accordance with canonical order, produces no disturbance for us, but rather delivers us from the ill repute that comes from some persons, and moreover procures for us the good repute of those who are right-minded. For who would not approve an impartial judgment, if it should be rendered concerning certain persons, or how would judging rightly and lawfully not be blameless, but rather full of every praise? And I write these things now, because your piety, in your own letters sent to me and to our most holy and most God-beloved brother and fellow bishop Proclus, names as bishop the most reverent and most pious Peter, while he himself laments and says that the church which was assigned to him has been disturbed unreasonably. It would have been consistent either that he have the name of the priesthood together with the reality, or at least, if he was unworthy to preside over the divine altar, that he not be honored even with the title of bishop. But perhaps it might seem to your piety that my argument is harsh and uncharitable; yet it is not so in truth. For we think perhaps to show mercy to the elder by leaving him only the title; but it would have been far better to consider the other alternative. For he claims that he is able to maintain his own reputation, but that he has not had an opportunity for defense, nor has a canonical hearing been granted to him.

If something of this sort had occurred, the very composition of the records would have convicted him, either declaring him guilty of the charges and having nothing further to say as one wronged, or else acquitting him and again granting him the presidency of the church, which had also come under his hand. Since nothing of this kind has been done, he cries out against the matter; he says he has suffered unbearable injustice and has been unlawfully expelled, adding that all his belongings have been seized. Therefore, your holiness, considering both what is determined by the divine canons and what is fitting for the church and for those appointed to sacred ministry, and also being moved by our letter, should stay the tears of the presbyter. And if he should choose to bring a case against those who bring the charges against him, let him be judged according to custom before your piety, with the most pious bishops under your hand being present, of course, unless he should excuse some as suspect. For we believe that none of the most pious bishops bears hostile feelings toward a brother, but so that this may not become a pretext, dissolving the judgment that will be passed upon him, so that it may not seem to have been done unjustly, there is no harm in some of those under suspicion being absent from the council.

Concerning the fact that the bishop has authority over all ecclesiastical matters. It is just that monies unjustly taken by him be restored in two ways. First, because such a thing ought not to have occurred at all, and because it greatly distresses and casts into extreme despondency the most pious bishops everywhere in the world to be required to give accounts of the management of expenditures that fall to them, whether from ecclesiastical revenues or from the offerings of certain persons; for each of us will give an account of his own times to the judge of all. For treasures and immovable properties must be preserved inalienably for the churches, but those who at any time administer the divine priesthood should be confident in the management of expenditures that fall to them. Concerning the fact that a priest should not submit a resignation. He says that he submitted the documents of resignation not of his own free will, but as if from necessity, fear, and the threats of certain persons. And moreover, it is a matter that does not please the canons of the church for any of the clergy to present documents of resignation; for if they are worthy of ministering, let them remain in this, but if they are unworthy, let them not depart by resignation, but rather be condemned on the basis of their actions—concerning which one might make great outcry, as being utterly devoid of any consistency. Greet the brotherhood with you. The brotherhood with us greets you in the Lord.